Control system for folding machines



June 30 1953 E. H. sPRr-:cKELMEn-:Fen 2,643,879

CONTROL SYSTEM FoaV FOLDING MACHINES Filed Dec. 2e, 1947 4 sheets-sheet1 INVENTOR I EDWIN HENRY sPREcm-:LMEIER ATTORNEYS E. H. SPRECKELMEIERCONTROL SYSTEM FOR FOLDING MACHINES June 30, 1953 Filed Dec. 26, 1947- 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWIN HENRY SPRECKELMEIER AT TORNEYS June 30,1953 E. H. sPREcKELMr-:lER 2,643,879

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FOLDING MACHINES Filed Deo. 26, 194'? 4 Sheets-Sheet5 FIG-5 INVENTOR EDWIN HENRY SPRECKELMEIER BYW/ ATTORN EYS June 30, 1953E. H. sPREcKr-:LMEIER 2,643,879

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FOLDING MACHINES 4' sheets-'sneer 4 Filed DeC. 26,1947 OO m00 NOD mm mmm mmm mm lNS/NTOR EDWIN HENRYSPRECKELMEIER BY KWIWI w ATTORNEYS Patented June 30,4 1953 CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FOLDINGMACHINES Edwin Henry Spreckelmeier, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to TheAmerican Laundry Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application December 26, 1947, Serial No. 794,049

Claims. 1

This invention relates to electronic control devices for foldingmachines, such as are used for folding sheets of paper, or flatwork inconnection with laundry operations. One common use of machines of thiskind is for automatically folding in succession a large number of likerectangular hat articles, such as sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases,towels or the like, which are generally of the same sia-e but actuallymay vary somewhat in length and width. The control mechanism forv such amachine causes it to produce one or two cross folds in the article atpoints proportionate to its length, regardless of its actual length. Thefolds may be produced, for example, at the quarter and half points, orat the one-third and twothirds points, or at other places.

The present invention is an improvement upon that described, shown andclaimed in Letters Patent No. 2,374,779, granted May l, 1945, to JohnE". Preston for Sequence Timer and Measuring Control, as well as to theinvention of an application length. The control system accordinglyincludes either one or two electronic measuring devices@ controlled byone or two trips actuated by the leading and trailing edges of thetraveling articles. When only a single fold is produced, means isprovided to prevent a second closely following article from interferingwith the measuring and folding operations upon its predecessor, but suchan arrangement involves the use of two trips, spaced apart along thepath of article travel.

When but one trip is used, it is possible to produce only one foldeither at a definite distance from the leading edge or at a pointproportional to article length.

According to the invention of the said Doran application two pairs ofelectronic measuring devices are alternately employed, together with twotrips for controlling them and producing the measuring effect and athird selector trip to cause alternate operation of the two pairs, butonly for producing a single fold.

One object of the present invention is to provide improved controlmechanism for a folding machine of the kind described, in which but asingle trip is necessary, and which includes two or more sets ofmeasuring devices employed successively, or in order, each set beingadapted to cause the production of two cross folds in the article atpoints proportionate to their length, regardless of their actual length.

A further object is to provide improved means,

in a control system of the kind described, for producing two cross foldsin an article, proportionately to its length, but in which a closelyfollowing article does not interfere with the measuring or folding ofits predecessor.

Still another object is to simplify the control mechanism 4by reducingthe number of trips affected by the traveling articles, but retainingall advantages of proportional folding on a series of articles differingin length.

A further object is to provide improved control mechanism, including twoor more sets of measuring devices, employed alternately or insuccession, in which the operation or actuation of one set, by onearticle, prepares another set for actuation or operation by a second orfollowing article, and so on, so that the sets may be used successively,-by selection, or in order, thereby preventing one article frominterfering with another.

Further objects of the invention in part are obvious and in part willappear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings,

Fig; l represents a central longitudinal section through one form ofmachine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail end View of a controlling drum switch mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. is a front elevation of the same parts.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the controlling circuits and other parts;

Fig. 6 is a detail diagram, on `a larger scale, showing the circuits fora typical electronic measuring device; and

Fig, 7 is an end View of an article completely folded by the presentmachine.

The invention may be applied for use as a part of any type of foldingmachine in which several fiat articles of the kind referred to arefolded in succession, each ata plurality of points locatedproportionately to the length of the article, regardless of its actuallength, such at the third and two-thirds points, the quarter and halfpoints, or in anyother proportion. For convenience, and in no sense oflimitation, the invention will be described as applied to a machine forfolding sheets at the quarter and half points, thus producing an articlewhich, viewed endwise, is of the form illustrated in Fig. 7.

The folding machine itself might well be of the form shown in theaforesaid Preston patent, but, as illustrated, is generally similar tothat shown in a prior application for By-pass Mechanism for FoldingMachines, Serial No. 677,368. filed June 17, 1946, by Clifton S. Malott,Jr., to which reference may be had if desirable or necessary.

Brieiiy described the folding machine includes a suitable frame Ill inwhich are mounted rollers l over which travel three sets of endlessbelts or tapes I2, ifi for advancing the articles in succession so thatfinally they emerge at and over the last roll IIa, the advancing edgemoving down in front of an oscillating folding arm l5 pivoted at IG andactuated by a cam Il rotatable on a suitably driven constantly rotatingshaft It, said cam engaging a second arm I9 fastened to and moving withfolding arm I5. A. blade 20 at the upper end of arm I5 serves as asupport over which the articles are draped in succession, and also as aknife for introducing the draped article to the bite between two foldingrolls 2l, between which it passes under roll pressure to produce andcompress the folds. Movement of the folding arm I5 back and forth,together with the rate of travel of the article and the 'timing of itsmovement with reference to arm movement, determines the exact points atwhich the cross folds are produced, while the folding rolls, togetherwith the blade on the arm which introduces the article to the bite ofthe rolls, constitute the folding devices.

Cam Il is rotated intermittently, or tervals, by any suitable halfrevolution mechanism. rlhat shown includes a ne tooth clutch includingtwo members 22, 22a, the former fast with shaft lo and the latterrotatable and movable endwise upon said shaft. Also mounted upon theshaft are two cams E23, 24, members il', 22a, 23 and 2!!- being fastenedtogether so that they all turn and move endwise as a unit upon theshaft. The unit is biased toward clutch closed position by a compressionspring 27.5.

To operate the clutch I provide a solenoid 25 (Fig. 2) the movable coreor armature 2l of which is connected by a link` 28 to an arm 23 mountedon a rotatable shaft 35B, having a second arm 3! connected by link 32 toa lever 33 pivoted at 34 and provided with a pin or pawl. This pincooperates with an annular shoulder 35i upon cam 23, said shoulderhaving two inclined portions 31 each terminating in a stop recess 25S,the two recesses being diametrically spaced with respect to the shaftcenter.

Cam 24 is provided with a single lobe 39 to cooperate successively witha roller il@ and a switch arm 43a., each connected to the operating armof a small spring closed or normally open electric switch, such switchesbeing marked 4I, Ma respectively.

Normally the clutch is open, as in Fig. 4, pin lying alongside theshoulder 36 and entering the recess 3R concealed on the far side ofShaft it in that view. Thus, the pin holds the clutch open. Wheneversolenoid 25 is energized, it pulls down the lever 2S and through members3l, 32, turns lever 33 clockwise in Fig. 2 and withdraws the pin fromrecess 38, thus releasing the clutch unit for endwise movement.Thereupon spring 25 expands and closes the clutch.

in the normal position of the parts, shown in 4, the roller of the upperswitch 4I lies on the cam 3l?, which holds that switch closed. As soonas clutch 22, 22a, closes, the several cams and both clutch parts rotatewith the shaft through 180". Almost immediately, when these arts startto rotate, cam 39 leaves roller 40 and switch. 4l opens. As the partsapproach cornpletion of 180 movement, solenoid 26 having beendeenergized a torsion spring 42 (Fig. 3) returns the solenoid core,links, lever, and pin at into their original positions, with the pin 35`alongside the shoulder 3E, so that when the inclined portion 3l of saidshoulder comes around, the clutch and several cams of the unit return toclutch open position and terminate the half revolution cycle, the naleffect being for the cam 39 to engage the switch arm 40a of the secondswitch 4Ia and close it, leaving the parts as they were before, butadvanced and ready for the next clutch operation.

Thus, each time solenoid 26 is energized, one of the two switches isimmediately opened; then the cam Il moves the folding arm I5 is onedirection or the other, then the other switch is closed, and the partsstop. The purposes of the switches will be referred to later.

The measuring devices, for determining the points where cross folds areto be produced, may be either electrical or electro-mechanical in form,both. arrangements being illustrated in the aforesaid Preston patent.For convenience only, and in no sense of limitation, the presentapplication shows electronic measuring devices.

The electronic control system includes but a single trip device, shownat 53, Fig. l, and also in Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the electronic control and measuring systemincludes live electronic tubes numbered respectively I, 2, 3, tl and allof the four element type including plate, grid, cathode and filament, asshown. The circuits for the tubes I to 4 inclusive are quite similarwhile those for tube 5 are somewhat different, so that it will bedescribed first.

The voltage applied to the grid of tube 5 is A. C. voltage from thesecondary S5 of a transe former, the primary P5 of which is in a circuitfrom L1 to L2. The energizing circuit is from the point la through thesheet contact 43 to resistor R21 to the grid, thence to the cathode andthence through the secondary back t0 the starting point, with consequentflow from grid to cathode of tube 5 during the half cycles when terminalEil is positive with respect to the center terminal. The grid andcathode elements in this instance function as a rectifier in which thegrid acts as an anode. Tube 5 is blocked from passing current as long asthe sheet contact 43 is closed, but as soon as that contact isinterrupted or opened by the passage -of the passage of the leading edgeof a traveling article, the tube passes suflicient plate current toimmediately energize the coil of relay E, later to be referred to.

The other four tubes, I to I inclusive, are generally alike, one typicaltube (e. g. tube I) being illustrated on a larger scale in Fig.Similarly to tube 5, each of these tubes is energized by the secondaryof a transformer, the primary of which is connected to L1, La Each tubeincludes a condenser and resistor connected in the grid circuit toproduce and control a time delay in the firing of the tube after thecharging circuit to the condenser is opened. The arrangement is similarto that followed in regular standard vacuum-tube time-delay relays, withexceptions now to be noted. The capacitor 45 shown in the grid circuitis charged with the polarity indicated and to the peak of the voltagefrom the central 'terminal of the transformer to resistor R2. Thecurrent for charging capacitor 45 flows from terminal 4G throughresistor R2, through potentiometer l to its slider, thence throughnormally closed switch contacts (here marked AAa) of a relay AA shown inFig. 5, thence through capacitor 45 to the grid, and thence to thecathode of the tube, and to the center terminal 48 of the transformer,during the half cycles when terminal 46 is positive withV respect toterminal 48. This charging circuit, it will be observed, includes but asingle switch AAa, which is true of all of the nrst four tubes. The gridand cathode elements of the'tube in this instance function as arectifier in which the grid acts as an anode.

The voltage applied to the grid of the tube consists of two parts, towit, the A. C. voltage from terminal 46 to resistor R2 and to the sliderof the potentiometer 4l, and also the D. C. voltage across capacitor 45.If the D. C". voltage in the grid circuit is greater than the A. C.voltage in the grid circuit, the tube is blocked and does not passcurrent. However, as soon as the charging circuit to the condenser isopened, as at switch AAS, the D. C. voltage immediately starts todecrease, because capacitor 45 now discharges into and through resistorsR4 and Rs. After a definite time interval, the tube becomes unblockedand passes sufficient current to energize the coil of relay A, in thistypical instance.

Recharging of the capacitor 45 occurs when the normally closed switchcontacts AAa (now open) are again closed to their normal position.

The length of timing may be varied by adjustment of the potentiometer41. c

Still referring to the four like tubes I, 2, 3 and 4, as typicallyillustrated for tube I in the circuit, Fig. 6, it will be noted that theresistance R5 is shunted by a circuit including a normally open switch,here marked DDz. If this switch is open when capacitor 45 begins todischarge, then the discharge is through both resistors R4, R5; but ifor when such switch is closed, then the discharge is through only one ofsaid resistors, R4. When the discharge is through R4 alone, the lengthof time delay then occurring is proportional to the ratio of resistanceR4 to the earlier total of resistances R4 and R5. sequent acceleratedrate of condenser discharge is utilized in the present system.

rlhus, summing up, it will be observed that .in each of the tubes I to 4inclusive, the condenser 45 is controlled by three circuits, to wit, thecharging circuit, including switch AAE, before referred to, which may becharacterized as circuit X, the primary or first discharge circuit,including both of resistors R4, R5, which may be characterized ascircuit Y, and the secondary or accelerated discharge circuit, includingswitch DB2 and resistor alone, and which may be characterized as circuitZ.

Still referring to the typical tube I and its related circuit elements,when such tube is unlocked and passes sufficient current to energize itsrelay coil (A in this instance) the effect is to actuate a controllingswitch M1. Corresponding switches for the other three tubes are markedlVlz, M3 and M4.

Switch M1 is a single p ole double throw switch with two contacts A1,A2.

Switch M2 is a double pole double throw switch with four contacts B1,B2, B3, B4.

Switch M3 is also a double pole double throw switch with four contactsC1, C2, Cs, C4.

Switch M4 is a similar switch with contacts D1, D2, D3, D4.

Incidentally, it may also be observed that the relay coil E of tube 5actuates a similar double pole double throw switch M5, having fourcontacts E1, E2, E3 and E4.

The movable right-hand blade of each of the ve switches M1 to M5inclusive is connected, by conductors, to L1, as shown. Where theswitches The con- L 6 have a second or left blade (all except M1) thesecond blade receives its supply through other conductors to be laterreferred to.

Cooperating with the four tubes are four controlling relay coils markedrespectively AA, BB, CC and DD, each provided with a series of contactswhich it actuates and controls.

For example, relay AA is provided with normally open contacts AA1, AAzand AA4 and normally closed contacts AAs and AAs.

Relay coil BB controls normally open contacts BB1, BBz and BB4 andnormally closed contacts BBS and BBs.

Relay coil CC actuates normally open contacts CC1, CCs, C Cs andnormally closed contacts CC`4.

Relay coil DD actuates normally open contacts DDfi, DB2, DDS and DB4 andnormally closed contacts DDs Tubes Nos. i and 2 work in conjunction witheach other, or as a set or pair, to accomplish measuring for and causethe first and second folds of the same article, while tubes 3 and 4 workin conjunction with each other, as a set or pair, to accomplish likeservice for the first and second folds of an article following the rstarticle. In other words, the two sets are used alternately, and thecontrol system is arranged to so operate them.

The timing to be provided by tubes Nos. I and 3, fcr the first fold, isthe same, so that the capacities and resistances are chosen and adjustedalike for these two tubes. The timing to be provided by tubes Nos. 2 and4 is also to be the same, but differing from that provided by tubes Iand 3, so that the capacities and resistances for these two tubes arechosen and adjusted alike, but usually to different values from thosefor tubes l and 2.

A detailed description of the various circuits involved, during foldingoperations, will clarify the purposes of the various sets of tubes,relays and other controlling devices, as follows:

Let us assume that the system has been designed to fold sheets with amaximum length of ninety-four inches and that the capacities andresistances have been adjusted to produce folds at the quarter and halfpoints. In other words, assuming the folding bar I5 in the positionshown in Fig. l the sheet will advance until approximately twenty-fiveper cent of it, or one-quarter, hangs below the folding blade 20,whereupon a folding operation occurs in the sense that solenoid 26 isenergized to cause the arm I5 to advance, away from the folding rolls2I, to its outermost position, the sheet thereupon falling or draping infront of the blade in a double loop. Advance of the sheet continuesuntil approximately the three-quarter point of the sheet has reached thelevel of the folding blade, whereupon the trip solenoid 25 is againenergized and the folding blade returns to its original position, thusadvancing the sheet, now draped or divided into four plies or layers, asshown in Fig. 7, into the bite of the folding rolls, between which itpassesfthus completing one folding operation. The folding operationtherefore requires two movements of the folding arm and bar.

At the beginning of a day, or whenever starting the machine intooperation, all circuits are open and all tubes, capacitors and coils aredeenergized. Switches 4I, Ma should be in the positions shown in Fig. 5.If not, they will immediately assume that position, by an idle halfrevolution cycle, when the main switch 49 is closed, as will laterappear. But in any event,

closure of the main switch immediately energizes the several tubefilaments and closes the several charging circuits to charge thecapacitor l5 for each thereof.

Now, when the leading edge of a sheet engages the trip tube No. firesimmediately. 'Ihat is to say, it becomes unblocked and passes current tothe relay E, which thereupon actuates the switch M5, moving its bladesfrom the position shown, on contacts E2 and E4, to its other contacts E1and E3.

The only effect, at switch M5, is to complete a circuit from L1 to thecontact E3, then through a blade of switch M2 to and through relay coilAA to contacts Ada, but not through them, 'thence through the normallyclosed contacts DDr, of relay DD to Lz. Relay AA is thereby energized. Amaintaining circuit for relay AA is immediately established from Lithrough a blade of relay E to its contact B4, thence through thenormally open. contacts AAi of relay AA (now closed), thence through thecoil of relay AA, and on as before.

Relay AA moves its several sets of contacts to their second positions,with two effects.

First, the charging circuit X for tube i is opened at contacts AAs, andthe capacitor for said tube begins to discharge through its primarydischarge circuit Y.

Second, the charging circuit X for tube 2 is opened at contacts AA5, andthe primary discharge circuit Y for its capacitor becomes operative.

ln order to accomplish the first fold in the article it is necessary toenergize the clutch trip solenoid 26 to produce motion of the foldingarm and blade, and since this action is to occur at the quarter point,or, in other words, at a vpoint proportional to the length of thearticle, but regardless of its actual length, it is necessary to tairethe actual length of the article into account. This is accomplished bythe passage of the trailing edge of the sheet past the trip ccntactenabling it to close.

If the sheet is of the maximum length which the tubes will take care ofat the chosen capan cities and resistances, and adjustments thereof,'then the capacity lili for tube l will become fully discharged at thetime the trailing edge of the sheet permits switch d3 to close, and tubei will fire without any acceleration of the rate of discharge of itscondenser. But that situation is not frequent. Usually some accelerationof the rate of discharge is necessary. In other words, the trailing edgeof the sheet will permit trip Contact i3 to close before the condensert5 of tube l is fully discharged. The effect of closing of trip contactin that event, is to again block the flow of current through tube E,dcenergizing its relay coil E, and permitting its switch M5 to return toits original position.

One effect is to open the initial energizing circuit for relay AA atcontacts E3. Another effect is to establish a circuit as follows:

From L1 through the right-hand blade of switch M5 to contact E4, thencethrough the normally open but now closed contacts AAz of relay AA,thence through the coil of relay DD to L2, thus energizing relay DD andmoving its several contacts to their second positions, from thepositions shown.

A maintaining circuit for relay DD is immediately established asfollows:

From L1 through the normally open contacts (now closed) DB4 of relay DD,through the nor- 8 mally closed contact CC4 of relay CC, and thencethrough the coil of relay DD. Thus, coil DD is and remains energized.

linergization of coil DD has three effects. First, it opens the initialenergizing circuit for relay AA at normally closed contacts D335. Sec-uond, it closes normally open contacts DB2, DDz, which, respectively, arethe secondary or accelerating circuits Z for the condensers of tubes iand 2. Third, it prepares the initiating circuit for energizing relay BBby closure of contacts DDi, thus preparing the second set of tubes 3, ifor use in measuring a second article.

When the article is of maximum length, as stated, the effect is felt attube I at the same instant that its condenser becomes fully discharged,so that there is no real accelerated rate of discharge and the tube Ifires immediately. But when the article is of shorter length, the rateof discharge is accelerated at the instant the trailing edge of thesheet passes the trip contact 43 and the tube -fires after condenserdischarge is completed at the end of the period of accelerateddischarge.

In either case, upon firing of tube l, switch M1 is moved from'theposition shown, on contact A2 to contact A1. This completes a circuit asfollows:

From L1 through the blade of switch M1 to contact A1, thence through thedrum clutch trip contact 4| a (now in closed position) and throughclutch trip solenoid 25 to L2.

Energization of the clutch trip solenoid closes the clutch in the mannerbefore described and starts a half cycle operation of shaft I8, which iscompleted, even though the switch Mc almost immediately opens.

During half revolution of shaft I8 the folding arm and blade areadvanced to a position away from the folding rolls. The first draping orfolding operation terminates when the arm reaches its outermost positionand the shaft has rotated As it terminates, switch il closes, butwithout electrical eifect.

Discharge of the condenser 45 of tube 2 is still going on, but at theaccelerated rate, because its accelerating circuit Z is closed at thecontacts DDB of switch DD. When that condenser is completely discharged,tube 2 fires with effects as follows:

Coil B is energized, actuating the switch Mz, thus moving its right-handblade from its position shown, on contact B4, to its other position oncontact B3, thus establishing a circuit as follows:

From L1, through the right-hand blade of switch M2, to contact B3,thence through the drum driven switch il (now closed), and through theclutch trip solenoid 26 to L2.

The effect is to again cause actuation of the clutch, and haltFrevolution of the shaft IS and other parts, returning them to theiroriginal positions. llihis operation is accompanied by return of thefolding arm Iii and blade 2li to their original positions, feeding thearticle to the bite of the folding rollers, where it is pressed into theform shown in Fig. 6, thus completing fold of this article.

Energization of coil B also opens the circuit through switch M2 to itscontact B4, thus de energizing relay AA and reestablishing the chargingcircuits X for tubes I and 2.

Tubes 3 and 4 function to produce the first and second folds in a secondclosely following article in exactly the same manner as tubes l fore thefolding operations on the rst article have been completed. Thearrangement and operation to that end will now be described.

Again assuming that a full length ninety-four inch article has justpassed the sheetcontact 43, and that a second article is followingclosely behind, it can be appreciated that the second article willinterrupt the sheet contact and would interfere with the acceleratedrate of discharge of the capacitor 45 on the tube 2, unless some meansis provided to prevent such interference.

It will be noted that when the trailing edge of the rst article passedtrip 43 relay DD was energized, and its coil then was maintainedenergized through its own normally open contacts DDr (now closed) andthe normally closed contact CC4 of relay CC. Also, when relay DD isenergized, the initiating circuit for energizing relay AA is opened atcontacts DD5, and the initiating circuit, for setting tubes 3 and 4 intooperation, is preliminarily prepared at conta-cts DDr.

Now when the sheet contact 43 is opened by the leading edge of a closelyfollowing article, circuits are established as follows:

From L1 now through the left-hand blade of switch M5 (now in its secondposition) to con-A tact E1, thence through normally closed contacts D2of relay D, thence to but not through the contact BB1 of relay BB,through the coil of relay BB, thence through the normally open contactsDDi of relay DD (now closed) to L2. This closes relay BB. Themaintaining circuit for relay BB is now established from L1 through therighthand blade of switch M4 of relay D to its contact D4, through thenormally open contacts BB1 of relay BB (now closed), next through thecoil of relay BB, and so on as before.

Energization of relay BB opens the charging cir-cuit X to capacitor 45of tube 3, by opening the normally closed contacts BB3 of relay BB. Thisterminates charge of the capacitor 45 of tube 3 and initiates dischargeof said capacitor through its primary charging circuit Y, includingresistances R14 and R15.

At the same time the charging circuit to the capacitor 45 of tube 4 isopened by opening a second set of normally closed contacts BB5 of relayBB, in the charging circuit X for tube 4. This starts the discharge ofcapacitor 45 of tube 4 through its primary discharging circuit Y,including resistors R19 and R20.

When the trailing edge of the second article leaves the sheet contact43, such contact again closes, which deenergizes relay E with results asfollows:

First, the initial circuit for energizing relay BB is opened at contactEi. Second, relay CC is energized by a circuit as follows:

From L1 through the left-hand blade of switch M5 to its contacts E2,thence through the normally open ycontacts BBz of relay BB (now closed),through the coil of relay CC to L2. A maintaining circuit for relay CCis immediately established as follows:

From L1 through the normally open contact CC1 of relay CC (now closed)through the no1'- mally open vcontacts BB2 of relay BB (now, closed) andthrough the coil of relay CC to L2.

Energization of relay CC closes its normally open contacts and thuscompletes the accelerated discharge circuits Z of tubes 3 and 4, byshort circuiting the resistances R15 and R20 of the condensers of suchtubes. It also opens normally closed contacts CCi in the initiatingcircuit for energizing relay BB.

As in the case of tubes Nos. I and 2, accelerated rate of discharge attubes 3 and 4 is different, producing firing operation of said tubessuccessively, tube 3 to produce the first drape or fold and tube 4 toproduce the second drape or fold. The operation of producing thesefolds, as the result of ring of tubes 3 and 4 is exactly the same aswith tubes I and 2, and requires no detailed description.

Speaking generally, the purposes of certain of the elements of thecontrol system described may be stated as follows:

Clutch trip contacts or switches 4i, fila are closed alternately at the.ends of each of a series of half `cycle operations. These two switches,acting in concert because of their operation from a single cam on shaftI8, serve to produce the appropriate direction of motion of the foldingor draping arm I5. When one of them is closed the arm advances, and whenthe other is closed it is retracted, and that is true regardless ofwhether the particular folding operations are being produced orcontrolled by the first set of tubes I and 2, or the second set, 3 and4.

Switch M5, controlled by tube 5 and sheet contacts 43, is really adouble switch, or, in other words, two switches coupled together forsimultaneous actuation by coil E. Each of the blades of said switch canproduce two foldingl operations, the first by advance to its secondcontact and the second by return to its first contact. However, only oneof the blades or members of this double switch is eifective at anyparticular time.

The -coil DD and twoyof its sets of contacts, normally open contacts DDiand normally closed contacts DD5, in cooperation with switch M5, servesas a selector mechanism, or means for determining which pair of tubes Iand 2 or 3 and 4, is put into operation for the folding of a givenarticle. Whether switch DD1 is open and DB5 closed, or DDi is closed andDD5 open, depends upon whether relay DD is deenergized or energized.Because contacts DD5 are in the initiating circuit for energizing relayAA and contacts DDi in the initiating circuit for energizing relay BB,the relays AA and BB, respectively, set into operation either the rstset of tubes I and il orthe second set of tubes 3 and 4. Thus, if coilDD is deenergized the` right-hand blade of switch M5 is effective,through normally closed contacts DB5, to energize relay AA when thatblade is advanced to contact E3. Thereupon relay AA opens the chargingcircuits of tubes i and 2 and subsequently energization of relay DDinitiates accelerated rate of condenser discharge, at the same timereversing the positions of the contacts DDi, DD5.

Then, a second or following article, causing actuation of switch M5,becomes operative through its lefthand blade, which now initiatesenergization of relay BB, by its engagement with contact E1. vLaterrelay CC initiates the accelerated rate of discharge for the condensersof the second pair of tubes 3, li.

Even if the successive articles are spaced widely apart, the two pairsof tubes I, 2 and 3, 4 are put into operation successively or in turn.That is because completion of the folds on the rst article leaves therelay DD energized, with the left-hand blade of switch M alone effectiveto initiate tube operation, a condition which persists so long as themain switch remains closed. Therefore, a second article is alwaysmeasured by the second set of tubes, unless in the meantime the mainswitch has been opened or relay DD has otherwise been deenergized.

It should be noted that if at any time the: machine is started when theswitches 4I, 4 la are in the wrong positions, or out of phase, i. e.,with switch d! closed and Ma open, as might occur if the machine isstopped at the end of the wrong half cycle, with the folding arm awayfrom instead of close to the folding rolls, the first effect of closingmain switch 63 is to put them in phase. In such case, current flows fromL1 to blade and contacts A2 of switch M1, thence through the left-handblade of switch M3 to its contacts C2, thence through switch 4| toclutch trip coil 2t and to L2, initiating a half revolution cycle of theclutch and cam mechanism and advancing or returning the folding blade toits proper position.

Thus, in conclusion, the present invention may be summarized as follows:

The means which performs an operation upon each of a series of articlesfed or traveling along a path, is here typined by the draping or foldingarm l5 and its blade 2li, each movement of which produces a fold in anarticle. That means, whatever its form., is `here actuated to performtwo operations upon the article at different points located upon itproportionately to its length, regardless of its actual length.

Performance of the operations is controlled by two governing units eacharranged to accomplish measurement of the article and to cause actuationof the operation performing means.

Operations of the two units referred to are controlled by a single tripdevice, here typ-ined by the trip contacts 43, which in turn actuate aprimary selector means, such as the relay El and the switch M5 actuatedby it. This selector means, by its operation as a consequence of thepassage of one article past the trip device, selects one or the other ofthe two units as the immediate controller for the operation performingmeans. Its operation to that end is determined by a secondary selectormeans, to wit, the relay DD and its normally open contacts DB1 andnormally closed contacts DDs. That is to say, each time the primaryselector means is operated it not only chooses or selects one of theunits as the immediate controller for the operation performing means,but it also adjusts the secondary selector means, as the result ofactuation of the trip device by passage of the trailing edge of anarticle past it, so that, the next time the primary selector means isoperated, it now selects another of the units, specifically the secondone in the form shown and described. The secondary selector means henceis operated by the first but is also sensitive to passage of thetrailing edge of an article past the trip device B3.

The system described prevents interference by a following article withmeasuring of the next preceding article or performance of an operationthereon. Nevertheless it involves but a single trip and consequentlymakes the entire machine shorter than when two trips, spaced along thepath of article movement, are employed. The mechanism is readilyadjusted for measurement of the articles in any desired proportions andis accurate in the performance of its duty.

Further advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

What I claim is:

l. in apparatus of the type in which operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path,movable selector means controlled by said trip device and operativelyconnected to said measuring units and adapted by its movement to causeone of said units in cooperation with said trip device to rst measure anarticle and then to cause actuation of said operating means, and acontroller also sensitive to travel of an article along said path fordesignating which of said units becomes operative upon operatingmovement of said selector means in response to the next followingarticle.

2. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path, andmovable selector means controlled by said trip device and operativelyconnected to said measuring units and adapted by its movement to causeone of said units in cooperation with said trip device to first measurean article and then to cause actuation of said operating means toperform an operation, each of said units including means for causingseparate actuations of said operating means at dierent points spacedapart upon the article.

3. In apparatus of the type in which an operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path,movable selector means controlled by said trip device and operativelyconnected to said measuring units and adapted by its movement to causeone of said units in cooperation with said trip device to first measureone article and then to cause actuation of said operating means toperform an operation, and means whereby movement of said selector meansto cause operation of one of said units with respect to said one articlecauses Asaid selector means to become effective upon another unit whenthe next following article affects the trip device, each of said unitsincluding means for causing separate actuations of said operating meansat different points spaced apart upon the article.

4. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path,movable selector means controlled by said trip. device and operativelyconnected to said measuring units and adapted by its movement to causeone of said units in cooperation with said trip device to first measurean article and then to cause actuation of said operating means, and acontroller also sensitive to travel of an article along said path fordesignating which of said units becomes operative upon operatinfrmovement of said selector means in response to the next followingarticle, each of said units including means for causing separateactuations of said operating means at different points spaced apart uponthe article.

5. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path, `andselector means controlled by said trip device and having two-stepmovement, one step produced by movement of the leading edge and theother step by movement of the trailing edge of an article past the tripdevice, the first step initiating operation of one of said units and thesecond adjusting said unit in proportion to article length, to therebymeasure each article and produce an op-v eration upon it in proportionto its length.

6. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs twooperations, both proportionate, but in different ratios, with respect toarticle length, upon each of a series of articles fed in successionalong a path, improved controlling means for said operating means,comprising a plurality of article measuring units, each capable ofindependently performing a measuring operation, each unit including twocontrolling members upon said operating means to cause two actuationsthereof, one for each ratio of article length, a single tripdevicesensitive to travel of an article along said path, and selector meanscontrolled by said trip device and having twostep movement, one stepproduced by movement of the leading edge and the other step by movementof the trailing edge of an article past the trip device, the first stepinitiating operation of one of said units and the second adjusting bothof the members of said unit in different proportions to article length.

independently effective "1. In apparatus of the type in which operatingmeans performs two operations, both proportionate, but in differentratios, with respect to article length, upon each of a series ofarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachunit including two controlling members independently effective upon saidoperating means to cause two actuations thereof, one for each ratio ofarticle length, a single trip device sensitive to travel of an articlealong said path, selector means controlled by said trip device andhaving two-step movement, one step produced by movement of the leadingedge and the other step by movement of the trailing edge of an articlepast the trip device, the first step initiating operation of one of saidunits and the second adjusting both of the members of said unit indifferent proportions to article length, and a controller also sensitiveto travel of an article past said trip for designating which 0f saidunits becomes operative upon operating movement of said selector meansin response to the next succeeding article.

8. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs twooperations, both proportionate, but in different ratios, with respect toarticle length, upon each of a series of articles fed in successionalong a path, improved controlling means for said operating means,comprising a plurality of article measuring units, each capable ofindependently performing a measuring operation, each unit including twocontrolling members independently effective upon said operating means tocause two actuations thereof, one for each ratio of article length, asingle trip device sensitive to travel of an article along said path,selector means controlled by said tripdevice and having two-stepmovement, one step produced by movement of the leading edge and theother step by movement of the trailing edge of an article past the tripdevice, the first step initiating operation of one of said units and thesecond adjusting both of the members of said unit in differentproportions to article length, and a controller sensitive to the secondstep of movement of said selector means upon passage of one article pastsaid trip for designating which of said units becomes operative uponoperating movement of said selector means in response to the nextsucceeding article passing said trip.

9. In apparatus of the type in which operating means performs anoperation, proportionate to article length, upon each of a series oflarticles fed in succession along a path, improved controlling means forsaid operating means, comprising a plurality of article measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, eachoperatively associated with said operating means to control and causeactuation thereof, a single trip device cooperating therewith and solocated as to be sensitive to travel of an article along said path,primary movable selector means controlled by said trip device andoperatively connected to one of said measuring units and adapted by itsmovement to cause one of said units in cooperation with said trip deviceto first measure an article and then to cause actuation of saidoperating means to perform an oper-ation, and secondary selector meansrendered effective by each operation of said primary selector means foroperatively connecting the latter to another measuring unit.

10. A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is fed in succession along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has a single trip located adjacentsaid path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel of saidarticles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling means forsaid' operating means including a plurality of articlemeasuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, anactuating switch operatively responsive to operation of said trip,selector means operatively responsive to respective positions of saidactuating switch for designating which of said units 1becomes operablein response to actuation of said trip by the next article, and meansoperatively connecting each of said units with said operating means.

11. A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is :fed in succession .along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has a single trip located adjacentsaid path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel of saidarticles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling means forsaid operating means including a plurality of articlemeasuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, anactuating switch, said actuating switch having a plurality of operatingpositions, a selector means tor designating which one of saidarticle-measuring units becomes operable in response to actuation oisaid trip by an article in the series, operative connections betweensaid trip and said actuating switch, operative connections between saidactuating switch and said selector means, operative connections betweensaid selector means and each of said article measuring units, andoperative connections between each of said article measuring units andsaid operating means.

12. A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is fed in succession along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has article sensitive means locatedadjacent said path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel ofsaid articles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling meansfor said operating means including a plurality of articlemeasuringunits, each capable oi independently performing a measuring operation,an actuating switch, a selector for designating which one of saidarticle-measuring units becomes operable in response to actuation ofsaid article-sensitive means by an article in the series, operativeconnections between said article-sensitive means and said actuatingswitch, operative connections between said actuating switch and saidselector means, operative connections between said selector means andeach of said article-measuring units, and operative connections betweeneach of said article-measuring units and said operating means.

13. A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is fed in succession along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has article-sensitive means locatedadjacent said path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel ofsaid articles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling meansfor said operating means including a plurality of article-measuringunits, each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, arst selector consisting of a switch movable to any one of severalpositions, a second selector for designating which one of saidarticle-measuring units becomes operable in response to actuation ofsaid article-sensitive means by an article in the series, operativeconnections between said article-sensitive means and said firstselector, operative connections between said rst selector and saidsecond selector, operative connections between said second selector andeach of said article-measuring units, and operative connections betweeneach of said article-measuring units and said operating means.

14, A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is fed in succession along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has a single trip located adjacentsaid path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel of saidarticles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling means forsaid operating means including a plurality of article-measuring units,each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, anactuating switch operatively responsive to operation of said trip,selector means operatively responsive to operation of said actuatingswitch for designating which of said units becomes operable in responseto actuation of said trip by the next article, and means operativelyconnecting each oi said units with said operating means.

yl5. A timing device for use with an apparatus of the type wherein aseries of articles is fed in succession along a path, and an operatingmeans performs an operation proportionate to article length on eacharticle, and wherein said apparatus has article sensitive means locatedadjacent said path so as to be sensitive to and responsive to travel ofsaid articles therepast, said timing device comprising controlling meansfor said operating means including a plurality of articlemeasuringunits, each capable of independently performing a measuring operation, afirst selector consisting of a switch, a second selector for designatingwhich one of said article-measuring units becomes operable in responseto actuation of said article-sensitive means by an article in theseries, operative connections between said article-sensitive means andsaid rst selector, operative connections between said rst selector andsaid second selector, operative connections between said second selectorand each of said article-measuring units, and operative connectionsbetween each of said article-measuring units and said operating means.

EDWIN HENRY SPRECKELMETER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,313,713 MacFarland Aug. 19, 1919 1,581,753 Mayer Apr. 20,1926 1,597,010 Jones et al. Jan. 1, 1929 2,034,040 Johnson Mar. 17, 19362,362,753 Huck Nov. 14, 1944

